Monday, March 07, 2005

Aurora Day Parade

These pictures were taken during the benebens (main event) of the Aurora Week celebration, the Parade on February 19.

Used to be the people to finish the parade, Aurora's top officials are now the roadbreakers. Between the two umbrellas: Mayor Angara of Baler, Vice Governor Annabelle Tangson, Cong. Sonny Angara and Governor. Bella Angara-Castillo.

The Baler Association of the Midwest, USA. They were here for the celebration as well as the much attended three-day Medical Mission at the Baler Central School on February 21 to 22. Chica Go!

The evergreens, Nais Ng Ina, probably Aurora's oldest association. It was founded by no less than Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon herself.

The float of Ms. Casiguran leads all Wadi Lakke participants of the parade.

Ms. Dipaculao in a float that seemed to be inspired by all the woods and stuffs washed-out during the November flash floods. Seriously, its all about the Pagsibol thing.

The designers of Ms. Maria's float, anticipating a very sunny and hot parade, decided to add in a natural shade for their muse to save her all the agony of having to carry an umbrella throughout the whole gig.

Ms. Dinalungan's motto: "no to umbrella". It's high time for a tan. And to keep the tan even, they even put a second sun to take care of her backside.

Ms. San Luis is from Ditumabo. She even brought the famous waterfalls with her to prove it.

This year's winner for the worst designed float: Baler. This one is inspired by the popemobile.

Ms. Dingalan pretending to be a pearl in this "manglit" inspired float.

Ms. Aurora from Dingalan. They forgot to put a straw to that big "mura" beside her.

The majorettes of Baler National High School (i guess).

This is how the main road looks like. Notice the May 2004 campaign billboard still on a roof after 10 months.

This is the "mura" i'm talking about. This float won the best float award. It has a big kayuran in front and a dog-sized ant eating a panutsa. My picture of the whole float was too dark to be posted.

The stage after the parade. Up front were Señor Ricky Quezon Avanceña, Sen. Angara, Gov. Castillo, Cong. Angara and Vice Gov. Tangson. The guest speaker, Sen. Dick Gordon, failed to make it on account of bad weather.

Two of this year's four Dangal ng Bayan Awardees. Dr. Epitacio Palispis for Education and John Arcilla for Performing Arts. The other recipients were Sen. Edgardo Angara for public service and Jeho Bitancor for Visual Arts.

The kids donned in international attires.

The Governor

Señor Ricky Avanceña.

John Arcilla sings our Gov's favorite, The Impossible Dream.

Cong. Sonny Angara

Vice Gov. Tangson delivered the message of the guest speaker, Sen. Richard Gordon. It was a sunny day in Aurora, but a wall of dark clouds on the mountains prevented him from coming to the Province.

I love orange.

Dr. Epitacio Palispis, receiving his Dangal ng Aurora award.

Sen. Edgardo Angara delivering his acceptance speech.

Ceasar Cristopher Gonzales, Aurora's new tourism Czar.

The mayor of Dingalan with Ms. Aurora. That was Aurora's map painted on her banig skirt. And she's still wearing those coconut bras.

The Dr. Galban megged ASCOT chorale doing their thing to close the program.